Tramshed at Shoreditch

Never thought I’d be back in London this soon; just after 5 months and with a special reason too. That’s meeting up with a dear friend I haven’t seen for years. B is a foodie, despite it not showing in her very small frame. She’s introduced me to the sinful (well, that was how it was identified back in the days) Sisig, a Filipino dish made from parts of pig head cooked in three phases: boiling, broiling, and grilling. She even introduced me to the kind with crab fat and sunny-side up egg on top!

On Sunday, we were on a quest to find Tramshed, one of Mark Hix concept restaurant.

B and I boarded off Old Street station clueless on which direction to go to. Gladly, there was a friendly guy who noticed our predicaments and asked if we needed help. We politely asked if he can perhaps point us to Rivington Street, and he went beyond and above just answering by leading us there. ^_^ Mind you, he seemed to be doing something important with a street fixture, we were really grateful.

Repurposed

Rivington street would be two streets away from this stand point. We saw a number of interesting graffiti on our way to no.32. Tramshed is located at what was supposedly a facility for the Tramway System. I couldn’t find a photo I took of the exterior though, it’s definitely not the usual restaurant facade, and you won’t think it’s one if you do not know the street address. ^_^ The industrial overall look of the restaurant works well, the installation in the middle, Cock ‘n’ Bull by Damien Hirst will distract you from waiting for your food.

Great Service

Good thing we do not need to be distracted. Per timestamp on the menu photo, it was 10:53 in the morning while the starter plate below was at 11:12. We did arrive early, the 9 minute difference in photos show how fast they are, or probably that’s because we were the first ones to arrive. ^_^ The staff were friendly and accommodating, and we didn’t hesitate asking for water or such and such from time to time.

I got the De Beauvior smoked salmon “Hix cure” with shaved fennel and pickled cucumber along with slices of black bread. B got some Berkswell truffled chips and salt ‘n’ vinegar onion rings for sides.

Funny Plating

Our mains took just about an ample amount of time to be served. I shared the above photo on my facebook timeline and got a lot of laughs. Coming from a country where all parts of a chicken are cooked appropriately for a certain dish, this whole chicken leg all with feet and nails is unacceptable (and hilarious). Apart from the appearance, the chicken was good paired with the different sauces and dips provided. Meat was tasty and Juicy, not at all gamey, which should be and the skin though not crispy-done was good to bite.

B is a steak person, she’s always been. I can’t remember which she had but she paired hers with red wine, I got a lemonade *lol*.

We had a lot to laugh at and talk about as we dine. Not divulging here though. 🙂

Tramshed Mezzanine

The interior of Tramshed at Shoreditch is characterized by its open, spacious layout and high ceilings.

Tramshed has three other spaces apart from the ground floor, one is Mark’s Kitchen Library where Hix’s personal cookbook collection can be found. I wasn’t able to take a picture of the area, since we didn’t book it. It is meant for events such as a private chef’s table for at most, 12 people or cocktails and mini-dish event for 25 people.

The mezzanine offers a beautiful view of the whole restaurant. It can sit up to 50 people for a private event. From there, the Cock ‘n’ Bull installation is eye-level, and can be ‘admired’ without straining your neck.

The installation, a whole cow with a whole chicken on its back in a steel and glass tank preserved in formaldehyde,  is the center-piece of the restaurant. Hix and Hirst have been good friends, thus, this collaboration.

The common area – we didn’t know there were private rooms and such at that time, and there were anyway only two of us, was spacious and cozy. The usual buzz of servers going about and the
clanking of forks and spoons gives the atmosphere a busy but charming vibe.

HIX Art

Back in college, B and I would go around the art scene to cover art competitions, art exhibits, and artists. She as a writer, and I as a photographer. We were delighted when one of the servers told us that there is a gallery below Tramshed. He guided us and chatted with us a bit, and we told him of our fascination of the arts. He told us about the artist on display that day, and we shared  how we ended up there in London (prompted by his qeustions – we’re obviously not locals). And then he went on to allow us to admire the artworks on display.

The gallery shows works of arts by different artists, even new and emerging ones, others straight from art school (Hix).

Dessert

B and I weren’t able to get dessert at Tramshed so while walking by the Tower bridge, we got us some Cadbury Flakes soft cones. And we both love Flakes! Here’s to more travels, flakes, art exhibits, and food adventures with a friend whom you can sit on the porch, without a word, and then walk away with the feeling that it was the best conversation that you ever had in your life.

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Edit 2019: BTS Namjoon ate at Tramshed and I couldn’t help but regret not going to their London concert. We’ve bought tickets but couldn’t go in the end. 🙁